(Clickable)
Monday, 31 October 2005
Little and large
As there seems to be a little dissention in the ranks from some quarters regarding my failing to post a new Tilly picture today, I thought I had better make haste and rectify the situation! :o)
(Clickable)
(Clickable)
Trick or treat
We don't really seem to 'do' Halloween here quite the same as it is done in the U.S and Canada etc. A few kids trail around the doors trick or treating but they never seem to have made quite the effort required with their costumes, retailers make a half hearted attempt at making yet more profit from sales of extremely tacky plastic paraphernalia and supermarkets have a few, usually less than pristine, pumpkins scattered about threatening to trip up their customers!
But for those with 'pumpkin patches' and the real deal, have a happy one :o)
Does 'Bah Humbug' count at this time of year?
Hypocrisy?
It appears in a report out today that nine out of ten of the Scottish workforce resent their colleagues taking a 'sickie' because of the added pressure it creates.
I find that just a little strange, not in principle of course for one's colleagues being out of the workplace for any reason obviously creates a greater workload for those remaining, what I find strange is the figures. I am assuming of course that if 9 out of 10 resent it, then that must also equate to only one in ten ever taking a sickie themselves! Hmmm.
I would be interested to see the statistical evidence to support that one! There seems to be a touch of hypocrisy going on there to me, only one in ten workers take sickies?.....did I forget to mention I'm the Pope?!
I find that just a little strange, not in principle of course for one's colleagues being out of the workplace for any reason obviously creates a greater workload for those remaining, what I find strange is the figures. I am assuming of course that if 9 out of 10 resent it, then that must also equate to only one in ten ever taking a sickie themselves! Hmmm.
I would be interested to see the statistical evidence to support that one! There seems to be a touch of hypocrisy going on there to me, only one in ten workers take sickies?.....did I forget to mention I'm the Pope?!
Sunday, 30 October 2005
Sleep? No chance!
Yup, it's Sunday morning, 4.20 am, the first day of my ten days of holiday, suddenly pushed forward one day by a change in rosta's yesterday and I'm already 'up and about' and have been for an hour....courtesy of one very tiny cat!
PG has been on night shift the last three nights and I have had three nights of face and foot pouncing to contend with. Apparently the hours of darkness herald 'play time' for someone very small, her favourite game being to stalk bits of me. If general stalking doesn't have her desired effect of waking me and having me entertain or cuddle her then her tactics change and she pounces on my face....bear in mind here that she hasn't yet mastered the art of retracting her claws! Ugh.
So last night, my holiday having been changed (I agreed to go in next Saturday and have today off instead, suits me, I still feel rough and one day in the middle of 10 off, I can handle), the clocks allowing us an extra hour in bed and my cold having taken it's toll we went to bed at the unheard of hour of 9.30pm and settled for a long nights sleep.
Oh no.....fat chance, There was a higher likelihood of plaiting fog! 'Someone' had other ideas! She has much in common with a large bag of frogs! An hour of pouncing later we resorted to shutting her out of the bedroom, no joy, we couldn't resist her pitiful baby cries and let her back in. Eventually she settle and off we all drifted to sleep......3.30 am and the pouncing commenced again!
I'm one of those frustrating (for me) individuals who once awake can't stay lying in bed so up I got after half an hour of trying to sleep some more and here I am, my day begun....hey ho, I got seven hours sleep....quite a feat in itself since 'Tilly' arrived.
Methinks we will have to learn to resist her night-time crying if the nocturnal pouncing games don't abate soon!
PG has been on night shift the last three nights and I have had three nights of face and foot pouncing to contend with. Apparently the hours of darkness herald 'play time' for someone very small, her favourite game being to stalk bits of me. If general stalking doesn't have her desired effect of waking me and having me entertain or cuddle her then her tactics change and she pounces on my face....bear in mind here that she hasn't yet mastered the art of retracting her claws! Ugh.
So last night, my holiday having been changed (I agreed to go in next Saturday and have today off instead, suits me, I still feel rough and one day in the middle of 10 off, I can handle), the clocks allowing us an extra hour in bed and my cold having taken it's toll we went to bed at the unheard of hour of 9.30pm and settled for a long nights sleep.
Oh no.....fat chance, There was a higher likelihood of plaiting fog! 'Someone' had other ideas! She has much in common with a large bag of frogs! An hour of pouncing later we resorted to shutting her out of the bedroom, no joy, we couldn't resist her pitiful baby cries and let her back in. Eventually she settle and off we all drifted to sleep......3.30 am and the pouncing commenced again!
I'm one of those frustrating (for me) individuals who once awake can't stay lying in bed so up I got after half an hour of trying to sleep some more and here I am, my day begun....hey ho, I got seven hours sleep....quite a feat in itself since 'Tilly' arrived.
Methinks we will have to learn to resist her night-time crying if the nocturnal pouncing games don't abate soon!
Saturday, 29 October 2005
How cool is this?
Never before have I had the new kitten 'introduction' phase go so well. Usually there has been the initial few weeks of stand off's, spitting and small fights to get through, this time none of that.....two days and they are on the same chair, playing and completely violence free. Long may it continue! :o)
Friday, 28 October 2005
Success!
This time we seem to have got the right kitten without a doubt. Over the last twenty four hours she has learnt where her food is, where her litter box is, how to gain access to the 'people bed' and that curtains are not for climbing. Her first day as expected she was a little quiet while she acclimatized to her new surroundings, though not overly so, and by yesterday morning she had 'found her feet' and was racing around and investigating every corner until she dropped, as kittens do, into an almost instant sleep for an hour or two before commencing the games and rummaging again.
She seems fit and healthy, eats like a little horse, has a purr that far outstrips her physical size and best of all, Ditto appears to actively like her after the first day of tentative sniffing! Since yesterday they have played 'chase me' on a regular basis, had small play fights and even eaten next to one another, without so much as a hiss from Ditto....she did however draw the line when baby cat overstepped the mark by attempting to suckle from her, but still Ditto merely backed off with a very confused look on her face. I did try to explain to her that at only six weeks old and only having been eating solid food for a week and a half, she could be forgiven for her slip, but a second attempt met with another stern look and almost pushed her patience too far, still though she resisted a swift 'paw around the ears'. Yayyyy for Ditto! :o)
We are still nameless, though I think we have narrowed it down to a final two now, 'Tilly' or 'Saffy' (short for Saffron)....unless of course someone throws another option into the pot in the near future. I'mcrap good at decisions, can you tell??
She seems fit and healthy, eats like a little horse, has a purr that far outstrips her physical size and best of all, Ditto appears to actively like her after the first day of tentative sniffing! Since yesterday they have played 'chase me' on a regular basis, had small play fights and even eaten next to one another, without so much as a hiss from Ditto....she did however draw the line when baby cat overstepped the mark by attempting to suckle from her, but still Ditto merely backed off with a very confused look on her face. I did try to explain to her that at only six weeks old and only having been eating solid food for a week and a half, she could be forgiven for her slip, but a second attempt met with another stern look and almost pushed her patience too far, still though she resisted a swift 'paw around the ears'. Yayyyy for Ditto! :o)
We are still nameless, though I think we have narrowed it down to a final two now, 'Tilly' or 'Saffy' (short for Saffron)....unless of course someone throws another option into the pot in the near future. I'm
I don't believe it!
Well, actually I do, it should come as absolutely no surprise to me by now, it has after all become and almost a quarterly occurrence and I should have learnt to expect, nay anticipate, that my car will break down every few weeks on the way home from work!
Yup, yet again, on my journey home the damn thing disintegrated on me, it is fast becoming less than amusing. I think it has spent more time in the garage since it's warranty expired than it has with me! Good grief, it might not be brand, spanking new but it is only four years old and has only fifty thousand miles on it. In my youth I had many a car at least two or three times that age, and with at least double the mileage clocked....... and none of this bother!
This time I was treated to an almighty racket as something 'fell off', rotated with the front offside wheel for a few revolutions, bounced noisily along the underside and was last seen, via the rear view mirror, being projected at high velocity into an adjacent field. I never did find out what it was, the offending object was not to be unearthed among the overgrown 'shrubbery' and my very nice mechanic man was not to be raised by phone.
I made a cursory inspection of the cars underparts, nothing was immediately obvious as missing and so I limped home slowly, aware only that whatever had parted company had done so from the wheel. Fast was not going to be an option and whilst the car appeared to be driving in a perfectly normal fashion it's movement was accompanied buy a very definite thud, thud, thud, at every revolution of the wheels.
And so, said hateful vehicle is again in the garage being attended too and I await with interest and annoyance the discovery of what actually went wrong on this occasion!
Oh....and to add to my fun day PG has kindly shared with me his 'man flu, (I am touched sweetie that you feel you should share but really, you didn't have to!).Unfortunately though the female version doesn't come with 'dispensation from all domestic chores' unlike the male type and given that 'himself' is working night shift he is snoring away happily whilst I continue with normal service! Pfffttt.
.....and 'baby cat' is still nameless!
Yup, yet again, on my journey home the damn thing disintegrated on me, it is fast becoming less than amusing. I think it has spent more time in the garage since it's warranty expired than it has with me! Good grief, it might not be brand, spanking new but it is only four years old and has only fifty thousand miles on it. In my youth I had many a car at least two or three times that age, and with at least double the mileage clocked....... and none of this bother!
This time I was treated to an almighty racket as something 'fell off', rotated with the front offside wheel for a few revolutions, bounced noisily along the underside and was last seen, via the rear view mirror, being projected at high velocity into an adjacent field. I never did find out what it was, the offending object was not to be unearthed among the overgrown 'shrubbery' and my very nice mechanic man was not to be raised by phone.
I made a cursory inspection of the cars underparts, nothing was immediately obvious as missing and so I limped home slowly, aware only that whatever had parted company had done so from the wheel. Fast was not going to be an option and whilst the car appeared to be driving in a perfectly normal fashion it's movement was accompanied buy a very definite thud, thud, thud, at every revolution of the wheels.
And so, said hateful vehicle is again in the garage being attended too and I await with interest and annoyance the discovery of what actually went wrong on this occasion!
Oh....and to add to my fun day PG has kindly shared with me his 'man flu, (I am touched sweetie that you feel you should share but really, you didn't have to!).Unfortunately though the female version doesn't come with 'dispensation from all domestic chores' unlike the male type and given that 'himself' is working night shift he is snoring away happily whilst I continue with normal service! Pfffttt.
.....and 'baby cat' is still nameless!
Thursday, 27 October 2005
Sunrise over the sea
Not that you can tell of course, that it is over the sea, it was way too early for that.
Apologies for the quality, I only had my phone with me but still the colours were worth the shot if nothing else worked too well!
Apologies for the quality, I only had my phone with me but still the colours were worth the shot if nothing else worked too well!
How very remiss.
My apologies, I have been a little distracted over the last 36 hours, courtesy of one very small and amusing kitten and just for once I have not spent 24/7 glued to this seat.
It is thus that I haven't kept up with my mails, commented on your kind comments or posted too much....how very remiss of me, I do apologise, normal service will be resumed after I escape the 'day job' this evening.
On the distraction front, names are being considered, though suggestions are still welcome, baby cat is very chilled and settled already and Ditto is coping remarkably well this time. Friends they are not yet but no violence has been meted out on either side and no one is sitting out in the rain.
Yes, you heard a small and tentative sigh of relief :o)
It is thus that I haven't kept up with my mails, commented on your kind comments or posted too much....how very remiss of me, I do apologise, normal service will be resumed after I escape the 'day job' this evening.
On the distraction front, names are being considered, though suggestions are still welcome, baby cat is very chilled and settled already and Ditto is coping remarkably well this time. Friends they are not yet but no violence has been meted out on either side and no one is sitting out in the rain.
Yes, you heard a small and tentative sigh of relief :o)
Wednesday, 26 October 2005
Things are looking good!
The new arrival, who still remains nameless and is currently referred to as 'little', is settling in well thus far and whilst Ditto is not absolutely sure about her presence the situation is a vast improvement on the last kitten debacle.
This time, from the moment we arrived home, 'little' in basket and me with my heart in my mouth Ditto seems to be mostly interested rather than miffed. There have been one or two hisses when the baby rushes up to her without a care in the world but there has been sniffing and a small amount of nose touching and no physical violence. Add to that, unlike last time when 'small cat' chose to sit out in the pouring rain miserably rather than be indoors with the interloper, this time she hasn't asked even once to be let out since the kitten made her entrance!
Eating and litter box requirements are being met without trouble, though there seems to be a little difficulty in actually finding then right now but she will soon learn and we did manage 5 hours sleep which was more than I has anticipated, though it was only after some kerfuffle in so much as having made her a lovely cosy bed next to our bed she proceeded to try and gain access to the 'human sleeping quarters'. This presented some problem, our bed is high and there was no way she could do it in one go, much tiny meowing and various routes of circumnavigation later she scaled the leg of the bedside table, slid accross the alarm clock knocking a picture over and joined PG, myself and Ditto in what she obviously considers her rightful place! I expected Ditto to 'do the off' but no, she remained, though at a distance, and we all fell asleep, though PG and I were almost scared to move for fear of squashing her.
This morning, Ditto still doesn't want to go out, kitten feeding and 'ablutions' have taken place without incident and all is peaceful.
I'm almost afraid to say it after the last disaster but things are looking good.
Oh....and all name suggestions are still gratefully received!
This time, from the moment we arrived home, 'little' in basket and me with my heart in my mouth Ditto seems to be mostly interested rather than miffed. There have been one or two hisses when the baby rushes up to her without a care in the world but there has been sniffing and a small amount of nose touching and no physical violence. Add to that, unlike last time when 'small cat' chose to sit out in the pouring rain miserably rather than be indoors with the interloper, this time she hasn't asked even once to be let out since the kitten made her entrance!
Eating and litter box requirements are being met without trouble, though there seems to be a little difficulty in actually finding then right now but she will soon learn and we did manage 5 hours sleep which was more than I has anticipated, though it was only after some kerfuffle in so much as having made her a lovely cosy bed next to our bed she proceeded to try and gain access to the 'human sleeping quarters'. This presented some problem, our bed is high and there was no way she could do it in one go, much tiny meowing and various routes of circumnavigation later she scaled the leg of the bedside table, slid accross the alarm clock knocking a picture over and joined PG, myself and Ditto in what she obviously considers her rightful place! I expected Ditto to 'do the off' but no, she remained, though at a distance, and we all fell asleep, though PG and I were almost scared to move for fear of squashing her.
This morning, Ditto still doesn't want to go out, kitten feeding and 'ablutions' have taken place without incident and all is peaceful.
I'm almost afraid to say it after the last disaster but things are looking good.
Oh....and all name suggestions are still gratefully received!
Tuesday, 25 October 2005
Finally.....
.......we have found (let's hope Ditto agrees this time) the right kitten, by chance and a little bribery we bought her home this evening.
She bounced fearlessly up to Ditto, who sniffed, looked at her with a little disdain, sniffed again and merely walked away. No spitting, no fisticuffs, no sitting out in the rain!
They ate a hearty meal and then promptly both fell asleep, not together I might add, but things are looking far more hopeful this time! Dare I ask for name suggestions again?
More tomorrow, I have a kitten to play with right now :o))
I'd kinda forgotten just how tiny a six week old kitten is!
She bounced fearlessly up to Ditto, who sniffed, looked at her with a little disdain, sniffed again and merely walked away. No spitting, no fisticuffs, no sitting out in the rain!
They ate a hearty meal and then promptly both fell asleep, not together I might add, but things are looking far more hopeful this time! Dare I ask for name suggestions again?
More tomorrow, I have a kitten to play with right now :o))
I'd kinda forgotten just how tiny a six week old kitten is!
There is a down side
Just now and again there is a definite down side to being a cat 'parent'....this morning was one of those times!
Six thirty am and PG, full again of man-flu and none too happy, was rushing off to work, accompanied as ever by 'small cat' who likes to take her early constitutional at his heels every morning.
The walk from our door to where the car lives is a relatively long one, a driveway of our own etc. we do not have and the usual routine involves he and Ditto trotting off whilst I wait at the window overlooking the car park and 'wave him off'. This morning however when he got to his car he starts with wild gesticulations, I can't shout down at this time of day for fear of waking the neighbour or two that we have and so, unable to decipher his melodramatic arm waving I put on some shoes and trail outside in the torrential rain and wind to discover what all this hoo ha is about.
Having made my way to the pair of them I find that small cat has found a big fat frog and is in imminent danger of doing it irreprable damage. "So what did you want me here for" I ask an increasingly flu ridden and disgruntled PG. "Can you move it so she doesn't kill it" was the reply....er......."can you not", I responded and was met with a look of utter disbelief! Ok, so this frog was big but man, he dragged me out into the inclement conditions to move a frog??
I took the alternative option and removed small cat back inside whilst PG, under sufferance 'encouraged' the frog to move on!
Did I say there was a down side to having a cat?....perhaps I should re-phrase that to include 'having a cat and a man'! ....I can imagine only too well the happycontorted in annoyance smiling face I would be met with if I dragged him out at 6.30 to move a frog! ;o)
Six thirty am and PG, full again of man-flu and none too happy, was rushing off to work, accompanied as ever by 'small cat' who likes to take her early constitutional at his heels every morning.
The walk from our door to where the car lives is a relatively long one, a driveway of our own etc. we do not have and the usual routine involves he and Ditto trotting off whilst I wait at the window overlooking the car park and 'wave him off'. This morning however when he got to his car he starts with wild gesticulations, I can't shout down at this time of day for fear of waking the neighbour or two that we have and so, unable to decipher his melodramatic arm waving I put on some shoes and trail outside in the torrential rain and wind to discover what all this hoo ha is about.
Having made my way to the pair of them I find that small cat has found a big fat frog and is in imminent danger of doing it irreprable damage. "So what did you want me here for" I ask an increasingly flu ridden and disgruntled PG. "Can you move it so she doesn't kill it" was the reply....er......."can you not", I responded and was met with a look of utter disbelief! Ok, so this frog was big but man, he dragged me out into the inclement conditions to move a frog??
I took the alternative option and removed small cat back inside whilst PG, under sufferance 'encouraged' the frog to move on!
Did I say there was a down side to having a cat?....perhaps I should re-phrase that to include 'having a cat and a man'! ....I can imagine only too well the happy
Monday, 24 October 2005
Haloscan
It would appear that today it is the turn of Haloscan to have the hump! One day I will log in here and find everything working at once! Ok, maybe that's asking way too much but for the time being, as Halo has done the off please feel free to use Blogger comments
Comment whore? Who me? ;o)
Comment whore? Who me? ;o)
Do I smell?
I am beginning to wonder!
Something has happened in my tiny corner of the blogosphere over the last week, whether it is that the world is on vacation, has taken a sickie, an incident of immense magnitude has occurred that has passed me by or I am giving off a 'virtually' unpleasant aroma I have no idea, but whatever the reason, over the last seven days my usually rigidly similar hit stats. have fallen by almost 50%.
Weekends are always much slower than the weekdays but I had weekdays with lower stats last week than my usual weekends and the reasons are not apparent from a brief investigate of the information. The percentage of hits resulting from searches compared to those who actually chose to end up here remains the same, my returns on Google and Yahoo etc. are static and the sources from where visitors got here remains unchanged, there is just a downturn right across the board.
During meanderings among stats there are always the amusing/concerning search results to be found, the 'odd bods' who end up here and must be thoroughly disappointed when they do, as the result of a search for (on this occasion) 'child porn' 'men in knickers' or 'child morphing'(ugh, go away please I don't like you) but I noticed also an oddity that is new. Someone is searching 'gemmak' on Yahoo at least five times a day, every day for the last few weeks It is hardly a word that one could search intending to find something else, there are only four gemmak's that return from the search engines, me, an engineering company and two other individuals and as far as I can tell, it is in the main just the one individual searching. Er...whoever you are, if you wish to stalk me, or if you just love me with a passion, would a shortcut or an entry in your favourites not be an easier solution?! Whichever you choose I can glean the same information about you.
Something has happened in my tiny corner of the blogosphere over the last week, whether it is that the world is on vacation, has taken a sickie, an incident of immense magnitude has occurred that has passed me by or I am giving off a 'virtually' unpleasant aroma I have no idea, but whatever the reason, over the last seven days my usually rigidly similar hit stats. have fallen by almost 50%.
Weekends are always much slower than the weekdays but I had weekdays with lower stats last week than my usual weekends and the reasons are not apparent from a brief investigate of the information. The percentage of hits resulting from searches compared to those who actually chose to end up here remains the same, my returns on Google and Yahoo etc. are static and the sources from where visitors got here remains unchanged, there is just a downturn right across the board.
During meanderings among stats there are always the amusing/concerning search results to be found, the 'odd bods' who end up here and must be thoroughly disappointed when they do, as the result of a search for (on this occasion) 'child porn' 'men in knickers' or 'child morphing'(ugh, go away please I don't like you) but I noticed also an oddity that is new. Someone is searching 'gemmak' on Yahoo at least five times a day, every day for the last few weeks It is hardly a word that one could search intending to find something else, there are only four gemmak's that return from the search engines, me, an engineering company and two other individuals and as far as I can tell, it is in the main just the one individual searching. Er...whoever you are, if you wish to stalk me, or if you just love me with a passion, would a shortcut or an entry in your favourites not be an easier solution?! Whichever you choose I can glean the same information about you.
Sunday, 23 October 2005
Purrrrr!
Ditto, strange little creature that she is has, in a very 'un-catlike' manner has never uttered so much as a single, solitary purr,
in her entire life!
Cats purr when they are happy and are also known to purr when in pain but under no circumstances has she been known to emit this singularly feline sound.....that was until this morning!
This morning at around six o'clock, as I gradually dragged myself from my state of overnight unconsciousness I was aware of a very familiar sound emanating from somewhere close by, the sound of an impressively loud purr. It took me a few moments to come too and remember that this could not possibly be Poppy who was a lifelong happy purrer, for a moment even, I wondered if it could be somehow, or if I was imagining it and then, as I sat up to investigate, I was met with the sight of 'small cat' lying on her back, completely relaxed at the foot of the bed, purring the loudest purr you ever heard!
Yayyyy for Ditto, at three and a half years old she has finally found her purr! :o)
in her entire life!
Cats purr when they are happy and are also known to purr when in pain but under no circumstances has she been known to emit this singularly feline sound.....that was until this morning!This morning at around six o'clock, as I gradually dragged myself from my state of overnight unconsciousness I was aware of a very familiar sound emanating from somewhere close by, the sound of an impressively loud purr. It took me a few moments to come too and remember that this could not possibly be Poppy who was a lifelong happy purrer, for a moment even, I wondered if it could be somehow, or if I was imagining it and then, as I sat up to investigate, I was met with the sight of 'small cat' lying on her back, completely relaxed at the foot of the bed, purring the loudest purr you ever heard!
Yayyyy for Ditto, at three and a half years old she has finally found her purr! :o)
Saturday, 22 October 2005
This is becoming a habit!
Ok...... this is becoming a bit of a badhabit.
Here I am, yet another 'saturday morning at not long past 5am' and getting ready to head off for work. I can't possibly post anything coherrent at this time of day (like I ever can!) so here ya go, another Saturday morning silly cat picture....told you this was becoming a bit of a habit!
I might even come up with a name for this early Saturday picture posting malarky and make like it was an idea I intended!
Hell, no one reads it on a Saturday anyways! heh.
Here I am, yet another 'saturday morning at not long past 5am' and getting ready to head off for work. I can't possibly post anything coherrent at this time of day (like I ever can!) so here ya go, another Saturday morning silly cat picture....told you this was becoming a bit of a habit!
I might even come up with a name for this early Saturday picture posting malarky and make like it was an idea I intended!
Hell, no one reads it on a Saturday anyways! heh.
Friday, 21 October 2005
Christmas chaos....again
Oh joy, yet again I find myself caught up in the chaos that is 'Christmas in retail'.
Every year the same thing happens and every year it winds me up, despite my promising myself that the next time I will not allow myself to be riled.
I used to adore Christmas, it was my utterly favourite time of year....and then I went into retail and the unending sixteen or so week run up, added pressure and grumpier customers, soon saw to it that it fast became something less than my favourite time.
None of that though is what aggravates me the most. What really 'gets my goat' is the dis-organisation and lack of consideration that means that my employer can never seem to tell us if we are to have Christmas off or not, until at best mid November! That might be all very well for those who's family are near at hand but for the likes of us who have to try and make travel arrangements, cattery reservations and fit in with other family members scattered around the country, it is an annual bloody nightmare.
If I have to work over the festive season then so be it, not good but a fact of life but why in God's name can't anyone ever seem to get a grip of this a little earlier in the calendar? Let's face it, it's not rocket science is it? Christmas is the same day every year, we kinda know it's coming don't we and making up a few staffing rota's is hardly the stuff of military maneuvers!
Don't tell me it's difficult, I've done it, it's hassle but it's perfectly do-able. Hell, they know their staff, they know their shifts and they know their trading hours, but no, not once has it ever been sorted in time for us to book flights at a reasonable cost, every year we have had to pay for a cattery place regardless of whether I needed it, just to reserve it in case we do and never have we been able to simply let my family make arrangements without having to hang on until the last moment waiting to discover if we will make it!
This year PG, for the first time in ten years has four days off so at least I won't be sat here on my own like last year but worst case scenario is that I get only Christmas day itself off. If I get more we need to book flights but can we? Can we hell! I just know that yet again it will be the long drive on Christmas eve scenario because I can't get bloody confirmation one way or another in time to buy flights.
Fer pity's sake, all this hassle for a three day a week job and mark my words, when I do discover my fate we'll likely have to trail back the hundreds of miles early just so I can cover a four hour shift in the middle of the week off! Arghhhhh.
Bah humbug!
Rant over! :o)
Every year the same thing happens and every year it winds me up, despite my promising myself that the next time I will not allow myself to be riled.
I used to adore Christmas, it was my utterly favourite time of year....and then I went into retail and the unending sixteen or so week run up, added pressure and grumpier customers, soon saw to it that it fast became something less than my favourite time.
None of that though is what aggravates me the most. What really 'gets my goat' is the dis-organisation and lack of consideration that means that my employer can never seem to tell us if we are to have Christmas off or not, until at best mid November! That might be all very well for those who's family are near at hand but for the likes of us who have to try and make travel arrangements, cattery reservations and fit in with other family members scattered around the country, it is an annual bloody nightmare.
If I have to work over the festive season then so be it, not good but a fact of life but why in God's name can't anyone ever seem to get a grip of this a little earlier in the calendar? Let's face it, it's not rocket science is it? Christmas is the same day every year, we kinda know it's coming don't we and making up a few staffing rota's is hardly the stuff of military maneuvers!
Don't tell me it's difficult, I've done it, it's hassle but it's perfectly do-able. Hell, they know their staff, they know their shifts and they know their trading hours, but no, not once has it ever been sorted in time for us to book flights at a reasonable cost, every year we have had to pay for a cattery place regardless of whether I needed it, just to reserve it in case we do and never have we been able to simply let my family make arrangements without having to hang on until the last moment waiting to discover if we will make it!
This year PG, for the first time in ten years has four days off so at least I won't be sat here on my own like last year but worst case scenario is that I get only Christmas day itself off. If I get more we need to book flights but can we? Can we hell! I just know that yet again it will be the long drive on Christmas eve scenario because I can't get bloody confirmation one way or another in time to buy flights.
Fer pity's sake, all this hassle for a three day a week job and mark my words, when I do discover my fate we'll likely have to trail back the hundreds of miles early just so I can cover a four hour shift in the middle of the week off! Arghhhhh.
Bah humbug!
Rant over! :o)
You have to see this.....
....unless of course you have already seen it on Lisa's blog, from where I thieved it! Thanks Lisa, I just had to have this!
So, for your amusement just click and enjoy!
So, for your amusement just click and enjoy!
Thursday, 20 October 2005
Oh the utter frustration!
We girls have all been there, we have all had our pride suffer and felt the utter frustration as we stand helpless and spitting mad in the face of our feminine 'inadequacies'.
Technologically savvy we might be, scared of nothing with a processor, happy in our geekery and only too pleased to be submerged in a world of gadgetry but still, every now and again life throws us a curved ball in it's attempt to put us firmly back in our feminine place and give you guys a moment of amusement!
So what has prompted this incident of spitting mad frustration?
Yesterday was an annual 'new gadget' day, they are by definition some of the best days, a new toy to be tampered and fiddled with, gadget freak heaven.....the once a year treat of the 'free' cell phone upgrade. Very unusually the carriers actually achieved the goal set them and delivered said new toy on the correct day and without incident, credit where credit is due, despite previous delivery disasters from this company to gemmak's-ville, this time and without even a complete address my shiny new phone landed on the doorstep at the appointed hour and with a smile! That was a good a start as any, things were looking hopeful.
I had already had PG offer as he left for work to 'set it up' for me on his return , in that condescending 'macho' fashion we are all used to that suggests activating GPRS and configuring an email client might just be a little too complicated for us! Pffttt, no chance, I'll do it thankyouverymuch, I am quite capable and even if I weren't I wouldn't admit it.
So the phone arrives, I excitedly unpack it and investigate and for once, rather than run what little power it has already, to nothing, I set it to charge for a few hours with more patience than is the norm and set about my afternoon.
With charging time finally complete and my new found state of patience wearing thin I gather batteries, memory cards and sim card, I make sure all the information on the old phone is where it ought to be and settle down to the favourite pastime of playing with a new gadget.
Well that was the theory, for it was at this point it all went horribly and humiliatingly wrong. We have all stood at the side of the road with a flat tyre, wheel brace in hand looking pathetically at the wheel and despite knowing what to do unable to actually muster enough brute force to undo the wheel nuts, there is some excuse for that, men tighten them too hard, but there is little excuse for the embarrassing incident I was about to suffer......yup, you guessed it, I was completely unable to get the back cover off the bloody phone!! Arghhhh.
This is not rocket science, all Nokia phones are similar, this is just a 'push and slid' action, well I pushed and I slid and I shoved and I swore and no amount of perseverance would shift it. I was forced even to check the instructions ( I don't 'do' instructions as a rule) for this menial action and yes, my action was the correct one but another half hour of pushing and sliding and huffing and puffing and still I remained thwarted!
I left it a while, tried to compose myself from my state of annoyance and then tried again...nope, the damn thing just would not shift and I just knew without doubt at this point I was headed for the utter humiliation of having to ask PG when he returned home for help. Bad enough when it's a wheel nut, a 50kg load one can hardly shift despite heaving one's whole body weight behind it but removing a phone cover?? the anticipation of the hilarity and male gloating with which that one was going to be met was almost unbearable!
He finally arrived home somewhere past 11pm with a knowing smile on his face and a few choice phrases of amusement, picked the phone up......and popped the cover off at the first attempt!!!!! Bugger!!!!
If there was any justice in the world he might at least have been presented with a tiny moments difficulty......I will likely now have to face the further frustration and humiliation of having this little tale recounted to all and sundry for years to come.
It's gonna take a long time to live this one down!
Technologically savvy we might be, scared of nothing with a processor, happy in our geekery and only too pleased to be submerged in a world of gadgetry but still, every now and again life throws us a curved ball in it's attempt to put us firmly back in our feminine place and give you guys a moment of amusement!
So what has prompted this incident of spitting mad frustration?
Yesterday was an annual 'new gadget' day, they are by definition some of the best days, a new toy to be tampered and fiddled with, gadget freak heaven.....the once a year treat of the 'free' cell phone upgrade. Very unusually the carriers actually achieved the goal set them and delivered said new toy on the correct day and without incident, credit where credit is due, despite previous delivery disasters from this company to gemmak's-ville, this time and without even a complete address my shiny new phone landed on the doorstep at the appointed hour and with a smile! That was a good a start as any, things were looking hopeful.
I had already had PG offer as he left for work to 'set it up' for me on his return , in that condescending 'macho' fashion we are all used to that suggests activating GPRS and configuring an email client might just be a little too complicated for us! Pffttt, no chance, I'll do it thankyouverymuch, I am quite capable and even if I weren't I wouldn't admit it.
So the phone arrives, I excitedly unpack it and investigate and for once, rather than run what little power it has already, to nothing, I set it to charge for a few hours with more patience than is the norm and set about my afternoon.
With charging time finally complete and my new found state of patience wearing thin I gather batteries, memory cards and sim card, I make sure all the information on the old phone is where it ought to be and settle down to the favourite pastime of playing with a new gadget.
Well that was the theory, for it was at this point it all went horribly and humiliatingly wrong. We have all stood at the side of the road with a flat tyre, wheel brace in hand looking pathetically at the wheel and despite knowing what to do unable to actually muster enough brute force to undo the wheel nuts, there is some excuse for that, men tighten them too hard, but there is little excuse for the embarrassing incident I was about to suffer......yup, you guessed it, I was completely unable to get the back cover off the bloody phone!! Arghhhh.
This is not rocket science, all Nokia phones are similar, this is just a 'push and slid' action, well I pushed and I slid and I shoved and I swore and no amount of perseverance would shift it. I was forced even to check the instructions ( I don't 'do' instructions as a rule) for this menial action and yes, my action was the correct one but another half hour of pushing and sliding and huffing and puffing and still I remained thwarted!
I left it a while, tried to compose myself from my state of annoyance and then tried again...nope, the damn thing just would not shift and I just knew without doubt at this point I was headed for the utter humiliation of having to ask PG when he returned home for help. Bad enough when it's a wheel nut, a 50kg load one can hardly shift despite heaving one's whole body weight behind it but removing a phone cover?? the anticipation of the hilarity and male gloating with which that one was going to be met was almost unbearable!
He finally arrived home somewhere past 11pm with a knowing smile on his face and a few choice phrases of amusement, picked the phone up......and popped the cover off at the first attempt!!!!! Bugger!!!!
If there was any justice in the world he might at least have been presented with a tiny moments difficulty......I will likely now have to face the further frustration and humiliation of having this little tale recounted to all and sundry for years to come.
It's gonna take a long time to live this one down!
Wednesday, 19 October 2005
Birthday
Today would have been the 'Poppy cat's' seventeenth birthday.
(Image clickable)
'Happy birthday old puss'.
(Image clickable)
'Happy birthday old puss'.
Driving you nuts??
Anyone who uses their pc with the speakers 'on' can't have failed to notice that James Blunt (for now) is 'doing his thing' somewhere in the background of gemmak's-ville.
I am no doubt committing untold numbers of copyright law infringements by this, or any similar, inclusion but I'm not a lawyer and thus far I can't discover exactly how the law applies to this use. Legalities however are not the reason for this post, unless of course you happen to have to hand that knowledge, what I really want to know is does the background 'din' drive you nuts? Ok, so you might hate my taste in music or you might love it, but is the intrusion into your quietness an aggravation in itself?
You can of course turn it off from the control on the sidebar but maybe that is merely another annoyance?
Free speech is supported here :o)
I am no doubt committing untold numbers of copyright law infringements by this, or any similar, inclusion but I'm not a lawyer and thus far I can't discover exactly how the law applies to this use. Legalities however are not the reason for this post, unless of course you happen to have to hand that knowledge, what I really want to know is does the background 'din' drive you nuts? Ok, so you might hate my taste in music or you might love it, but is the intrusion into your quietness an aggravation in itself?
You can of course turn it off from the control on the sidebar but maybe that is merely another annoyance?
Free speech is supported here :o)
Tuesday, 18 October 2005
Don't you just hate it when.....
....with absolutely no intention and having made your best effort not too, you find you have upset or offended someone and no amount of regret or apology will put it right.
I met someone recently, out of the blue and we just seemed to 'click' in that rare, 'I think you and me could really be friends' kind of way, that doesn't happen very often. We chattered for hours, we had much in common and we seemed to be set for a friendship that might endure longer than a few days.
And then something happened that I think must have cause more upset and/or offence than I could have anticipated, my actions and words were not malicious, quite the reverse, they were considered and I thought carefully handled, but it seems I was wrong.
Apologies and 'peace offerings' seem to have had no effect, my emails no longer get replies and I can't see anything else I can do to put right the wrong. Half of me is saddened the other half is wondering if I was just mistaken in the first place and misread what I thought was friendship.
Whatever, don't you just hate it when you upset someone and then can't seem to make it right no matter what?
I met someone recently, out of the blue and we just seemed to 'click' in that rare, 'I think you and me could really be friends' kind of way, that doesn't happen very often. We chattered for hours, we had much in common and we seemed to be set for a friendship that might endure longer than a few days.
And then something happened that I think must have cause more upset and/or offence than I could have anticipated, my actions and words were not malicious, quite the reverse, they were considered and I thought carefully handled, but it seems I was wrong.
Apologies and 'peace offerings' seem to have had no effect, my emails no longer get replies and I can't see anything else I can do to put right the wrong. Half of me is saddened the other half is wondering if I was just mistaken in the first place and misread what I thought was friendship.
Whatever, don't you just hate it when you upset someone and then can't seem to make it right no matter what?
Fat cat!
I was always given to understand, and experience taught me, that cats, unlike dogs do not over eat, they eat what they need and no more, left to their own devices and with a constant supply of food they will control their own intake. Certainly in the cases of Poppy and gemmak, no matter how much in the way of high class 'cat fare' was on offer, once they had eaten enough the remainder would be abandoned to a later time.
Ditto it seems is the exception to the rule of late and appears, since her trauma of last week, to be flying in the face of that long held understanding. I know, as winter approaches cats eat more, in the past I could almost tell when the temperature was about to drop significantly by a sudden upturn in Poppy's appetite but Ditto has begun to eat in earnest and as yet no dramatic drop of the mercury has been detected!
Her summer days of padding around her territory indulging in her usual antics have been hampered by rain and she has taken to lounging more often indoors, pursuing activities of a much more laid back nature, all of which would suggest she needed a lower intake of her favourite menu's but no, she is eating like there is no tomorrow and is rapidly turning from 'small cat' to 'fat cat'!
I'm not sure yet if this is a case of comfort eating, boredom, though she has plenty to entertain her, or just a more relaxed cattitude but whatever it is, if she doesn't get a grip of the situation herself soon, a much closer system of dietary monitoring will have to be put in place and adhered to!
Ditto it seems is the exception to the rule of late and appears, since her trauma of last week, to be flying in the face of that long held understanding. I know, as winter approaches cats eat more, in the past I could almost tell when the temperature was about to drop significantly by a sudden upturn in Poppy's appetite but Ditto has begun to eat in earnest and as yet no dramatic drop of the mercury has been detected!
Her summer days of padding around her territory indulging in her usual antics have been hampered by rain and she has taken to lounging more often indoors, pursuing activities of a much more laid back nature, all of which would suggest she needed a lower intake of her favourite menu's but no, she is eating like there is no tomorrow and is rapidly turning from 'small cat' to 'fat cat'!
I'm not sure yet if this is a case of comfort eating, boredom, though she has plenty to entertain her, or just a more relaxed cattitude but whatever it is, if she doesn't get a grip of the situation herself soon, a much closer system of dietary monitoring will have to be put in place and adhered to!
Monday, 17 October 2005
There's nothing like a bit of panic
The apparently inevitable pandemic heading this way is not something I'm sure I want to know about in such detail!
Historically there have always been pandemics of one disease or another and always they carry with them horrendous death tolls but until recently the population were in what was maybe a fortunate position of not having to be assailed by a news hungry media with a penchant for creating as near panic among it's audience as is humanly possible.
Bad news sells, the good doesn't and there is nothing like a bit of panic to widen your target audience! Tell a population who are used to having a large degree of control over their lives, that somewhere between 50,000 to 175.000 of them are going to meet a premature end, courtesy of the latest strain of 'Avian flu' and I imagine viewing/reading/listening figures are guaranteed to hit a high!
Sure, we need to be informed, we need to take reasonable steps to protect ourselves but do we really need to be scared half way to death before we even come down with the virus, by news reports purposely utilising evocative and carefully chosen extreme wording?
A fool I may be but ignorance may just be bliss in some instances!
Historically there have always been pandemics of one disease or another and always they carry with them horrendous death tolls but until recently the population were in what was maybe a fortunate position of not having to be assailed by a news hungry media with a penchant for creating as near panic among it's audience as is humanly possible.
Bad news sells, the good doesn't and there is nothing like a bit of panic to widen your target audience! Tell a population who are used to having a large degree of control over their lives, that somewhere between 50,000 to 175.000 of them are going to meet a premature end, courtesy of the latest strain of 'Avian flu' and I imagine viewing/reading/listening figures are guaranteed to hit a high!
Sure, we need to be informed, we need to take reasonable steps to protect ourselves but do we really need to be scared half way to death before we even come down with the virus, by news reports purposely utilising evocative and carefully chosen extreme wording?
A fool I may be but ignorance may just be bliss in some instances!
Sunday, 16 October 2005
The walk is walked
It's done and here is the proof! We made the 8km in well under two hours. I'm not sure how long I expected it to take but somehow I didn't ever really think of that aspect and assumed it would take longer.
(Images clickable)
We all met at the designated spot, did the signing in stuff, listened to the words of an oncologist speaker and then off we set. The day was damp and overcast, a little
misty but then we were right next to the sea though it didn't rain and the temperature was about perfect for walking.
I'm not good at estimating numbers but maybe 150-200 people took part in this 'Stride for life' and everyone seemed to enjoy it. There were certainly moments of sadness or joy for some, depending on one's individual reasons for making the walk but a feeling of camaraderie and of a shared purpose prevailed.
The five of us who has organised to walk together soon became split up into two small groups, those with long legs who could walk fast and 'E' (a colleague of mine) and I who had shorter legs, in my case very short, who after a little while decided to walk at our own pace.....a 'pottering and chattering' pace!
We are lucky to live where we do, our route took us along Berwick town walls next to the harbour and sea and then along inland
a little following the course of the Tweed estuary and under the three famous bridges. It's odd how when one lives in such a beautiful place somehow the effort is never made to explore properly until a reason presents itself. There were so many beautiful things to see, everything from the ocean vista and beautiful historic buildings to the famous Mute Swan colony that has it's home on the estuary. I kinda made a pact with myself along the way that I must make more effort in future to go out there again when I have more time to 'investigate' and look around me better.
So that was it, we did it, 8km was not massively challenging, 'E' and I almost wished it had been a longer route. We were so enjoying ourselves we would happily have carried on but as it was we arrived back unscathed and
without so much as a sore foot between us, probably less likely had we had our way and been able to continue!
All that remains now is to collect the sponsorship money people have kindly pledged and the job is done. My contribution will be a mere drop in the ocean compared to the funds needed to beat breast cancer for good but hopefully it will help a little.
And for my friends 'M' and 'P'....... today was for you, go girls!
(Images clickable)
We all met at the designated spot, did the signing in stuff, listened to the words of an oncologist speaker and then off we set. The day was damp and overcast, a little
misty but then we were right next to the sea though it didn't rain and the temperature was about perfect for walking.I'm not good at estimating numbers but maybe 150-200 people took part in this 'Stride for life' and everyone seemed to enjoy it. There were certainly moments of sadness or joy for some, depending on one's individual reasons for making the walk but a feeling of camaraderie and of a shared purpose prevailed.
The five of us who has organised to walk together soon became split up into two small groups, those with long legs who could walk fast and 'E' (a colleague of mine) and I who had shorter legs, in my case very short, who after a little while decided to walk at our own pace.....a 'pottering and chattering' pace!
We are lucky to live where we do, our route took us along Berwick town walls next to the harbour and sea and then along inland
a little following the course of the Tweed estuary and under the three famous bridges. It's odd how when one lives in such a beautiful place somehow the effort is never made to explore properly until a reason presents itself. There were so many beautiful things to see, everything from the ocean vista and beautiful historic buildings to the famous Mute Swan colony that has it's home on the estuary. I kinda made a pact with myself along the way that I must make more effort in future to go out there again when I have more time to 'investigate' and look around me better.
So that was it, we did it, 8km was not massively challenging, 'E' and I almost wished it had been a longer route. We were so enjoying ourselves we would happily have carried on but as it was we arrived back unscathed and
without so much as a sore foot between us, probably less likely had we had our way and been able to continue!All that remains now is to collect the sponsorship money people have kindly pledged and the job is done. My contribution will be a mere drop in the ocean compared to the funds needed to beat breast cancer for good but hopefully it will help a little.
And for my friends 'M' and 'P'....... today was for you, go girls!
Get walking
Today is 'Stride for life' day, the day myself and hopefully many others muster our walking feet and take part in an 8km sponsored walk to raise money for breast cancer research. A Sunday off work is a treat at anytime for me but this one has special significance.
We all know someone who has faced the trauma of breast cancer, it would be hard not too considering one in twelve of we women will be diagnosed with the disease at some point in our life and for many of us that figure is even higher. For myself the significance
is heightened by my currently having two friends dealing with having been diagnosed with breast cancer, both of whom have astounded me by their positivity and courage. 'M' my colleague who still to date, despite her chemotherapy having kicked in big time now, has only missed two days of work and 'P' a friend of many years, who has more recently been diagnosed and has just undergone the surgery stage of the process, again with an astounding attitude that is humbling and impressive in the extreme. Both these friends have faced their illness in a manner and with such courage that at times makes it hard to believe they are ill at all.
Taking part in today's sponsored event is not much but it is something and hopefully I will raise a few hundred pounds and do my little bit to support a charity that without funds for research could not have helped make breast cancer as treatable as it is today and cannot continue to carry out it's work to one day find a cure and lessen the trauma of the treatments.
So 'M' and 'P' and of course my mother, who beat this horrible disease almost 18 years ago, with the same bravery and with little more fuss than if she has been told she was suffering a head cold, today is for you, my 8km hobble is with the three of you very much in mind, you are all an inspiration.
We all know someone who has faced the trauma of breast cancer, it would be hard not too considering one in twelve of we women will be diagnosed with the disease at some point in our life and for many of us that figure is even higher. For myself the significance
is heightened by my currently having two friends dealing with having been diagnosed with breast cancer, both of whom have astounded me by their positivity and courage. 'M' my colleague who still to date, despite her chemotherapy having kicked in big time now, has only missed two days of work and 'P' a friend of many years, who has more recently been diagnosed and has just undergone the surgery stage of the process, again with an astounding attitude that is humbling and impressive in the extreme. Both these friends have faced their illness in a manner and with such courage that at times makes it hard to believe they are ill at all.Taking part in today's sponsored event is not much but it is something and hopefully I will raise a few hundred pounds and do my little bit to support a charity that without funds for research could not have helped make breast cancer as treatable as it is today and cannot continue to carry out it's work to one day find a cure and lessen the trauma of the treatments.
So 'M' and 'P' and of course my mother, who beat this horrible disease almost 18 years ago, with the same bravery and with little more fuss than if she has been told she was suffering a head cold, today is for you, my 8km hobble is with the three of you very much in mind, you are all an inspiration.
Saturday, 15 October 2005
Sneaky Saturday
Sneaky because it barely qualifies as a post but hey, its not long past 5am and it's the best I can do before I rush off to work!
Courtesy of a friends email, go here for an amusing open letter!
Courtesy of a friends email, go here for an amusing open letter!
Friday, 14 October 2005
Friday's feast (66)
Appetizer
Who is someone you would consider to be a calm person?
My mother
Soup
What was your last "gut feeling" about? Were you right?
Last gut feeling? That the kitten we bought home earlier this week wasn't going to work out....and yes, I think I was right though I won't ever know for certain :o(
Salad
List 3 words that you really don't like how they sound.
'Bog' and the 'c' word......and 'Microsoft' :o)
Main Course
What kind of shampoo and conditioner do you use?
Pantene
Dessert
If you found out that you definitely do have a guardian angel, what would you name it?
Ask me another, I haven't the vaguest idea!
Who is someone you would consider to be a calm person?
My mother
Soup
What was your last "gut feeling" about? Were you right?
Last gut feeling? That the kitten we bought home earlier this week wasn't going to work out....and yes, I think I was right though I won't ever know for certain :o(
Salad
List 3 words that you really don't like how they sound.
'Bog' and the 'c' word......and 'Microsoft' :o)
Main Course
What kind of shampoo and conditioner do you use?
Pantene
Dessert
If you found out that you definitely do have a guardian angel, what would you name it?
Ask me another, I haven't the vaguest idea!
Watching me, watching you......
Ditto, it appears, has a passion for Magz rearing horse avatar, it is far more attractive than any mere cursor to a blogging cat..... and one stage on it seems that Magz' blogging cat has a fancy for watching my blogging cat watching Magz......
Thursday, 13 October 2005
Flies!
I have to admit, my intention wasn't to photograph the flies we are so infamous for here, but it seems flies is what I got somehow....how undelightful.
Click for flies!
Sponsor me?
This coming Sunday the 16th of October is the day I have to muster my little legs into some semblence of activity and with two friends, one a blogger and the other a colleague and join many others to take part in an 8km sponsored walk to raise money for Cancer research UK's breast cancer appeal.
Details of where and when we will be making this small trek can be found here,
if you happen to be local feel free to join us if you wish and if you can't or are just feeling generous, on my sidebar is a paypal donation button, all you need to do is click it to sponsor me.For ease there will be no fiddling about with sponsorship per kilometer, it's all or nothing, if you wish to sponsor me and I make the whole walk you pay up, if I don't you don't.
Every penny/cent counts, we all know someone who has suffered this illness so please, if you have anything to spare hit the button!
It will remain there until a few days after the event and accepts all major credit cards etc. etc. Any charges incurred at this end for receipt of payment by credit card I will cover personally.
THANK YOU.
Wednesday, 12 October 2005
I can't help but laugh
Well, my day is done, all tasks complete but not without the usual hairdresser mishap. Why can I never go to that place without there being some minor 'carry on'. As it is I avoid all and any attempts to persuade me there until it really has to be done and still something, albeit minor, always happens.
In the past it has been arguing staff allowing their personal affairs to spill over into the public domain, on another occasion a young female stylist received a text message from her boyfriend 'ditching' her rather unkindly that resulted in tears and tantrums in the salon, I have had a cup of coffee poured over my foot when it's server tripped and I have had my hair emit smoke. You might wonder why I still patronize this establishment, well aside from these few minor mishaps it is the best in town at what it is supposed to do, the business of haircutting, and I'm kinda getting to be amused by the minutiae of life that I see there for the half an hour I visit now and again.
Today's mishap? Nothing catastrophic, just amusing. I was taken to the dreaded backwash by a new and very young apprentice, desperate to do everything right, as ever I asked her to only wash once and no conditioner for fear of acquiring a permanent neck injury and off she set. All was well, she was a little light of touch but hey, she was new and nervous and then it all went horribly wrong. Rinse time....she dropped the shower head, on my head, in her panic at retrieving it she dropped it again and this time it did that thing showers 'do' of twisting itself around and sending a shower of water over my face. By now I was laughing out loud, she tried again in panic to rescue the offending implement but in her efforts managed to shower me from chest to knees! The poor girl could easily have died, I tried my best, I honestly did, to assure her no harm was done but I just couldn't help laughing almost hysterically at the look on her managers face and the whole awful-ness of it all to her, new in a business where customer service is considered all. My heart bled for her really..... but still I laughed!
So having completed the hairdressing task I set off on foot newly washed cut and straightened for the police station....in the pouring rain, with no umbrella. By the time I arrived I was favouring a drowned rat but in I went and was immediately ushered away. Apparently in this 'we have to prove guilt' environment it has to be assured that I could not have spoken to anyone else whilst I waited and therefore perverted the course of justice or some such. So I waited, with my minder, a P.C. who seemed thoroughly bored by the proceedings and sat in this little room with me without uttering a sound.
Luckily I had only to wait a few minutes before I was collected. Identity parades are certainly not what they used to be. To cut a long and video taped story short I was required to watch a video of nine images, twice, and when asked offer my identification if I could.
Any worry that I had quietly harboured about letting the whole system down by not being able to identify the suspect very rapidly disappeared, the moment I saw his unpleasant face I knew beyond any doubt.
And that was it, job done, a few signatures and warnings about not discussing it with a colleague who is also to go through this process and I was out on the street again, in the rain, with my already catastrophically wet new hair 'do' only slipping further into the abyss of bad hair days!
I can't help but laugh.....£30 to look like a drowned rat, tsk! :o)
In the past it has been arguing staff allowing their personal affairs to spill over into the public domain, on another occasion a young female stylist received a text message from her boyfriend 'ditching' her rather unkindly that resulted in tears and tantrums in the salon, I have had a cup of coffee poured over my foot when it's server tripped and I have had my hair emit smoke. You might wonder why I still patronize this establishment, well aside from these few minor mishaps it is the best in town at what it is supposed to do, the business of haircutting, and I'm kinda getting to be amused by the minutiae of life that I see there for the half an hour I visit now and again.
Today's mishap? Nothing catastrophic, just amusing. I was taken to the dreaded backwash by a new and very young apprentice, desperate to do everything right, as ever I asked her to only wash once and no conditioner for fear of acquiring a permanent neck injury and off she set. All was well, she was a little light of touch but hey, she was new and nervous and then it all went horribly wrong. Rinse time....she dropped the shower head, on my head, in her panic at retrieving it she dropped it again and this time it did that thing showers 'do' of twisting itself around and sending a shower of water over my face. By now I was laughing out loud, she tried again in panic to rescue the offending implement but in her efforts managed to shower me from chest to knees! The poor girl could easily have died, I tried my best, I honestly did, to assure her no harm was done but I just couldn't help laughing almost hysterically at the look on her managers face and the whole awful-ness of it all to her, new in a business where customer service is considered all. My heart bled for her really..... but still I laughed!
So having completed the hairdressing task I set off on foot newly washed cut and straightened for the police station....in the pouring rain, with no umbrella. By the time I arrived I was favouring a drowned rat but in I went and was immediately ushered away. Apparently in this 'we have to prove guilt' environment it has to be assured that I could not have spoken to anyone else whilst I waited and therefore perverted the course of justice or some such. So I waited, with my minder, a P.C. who seemed thoroughly bored by the proceedings and sat in this little room with me without uttering a sound.
Luckily I had only to wait a few minutes before I was collected. Identity parades are certainly not what they used to be. To cut a long and video taped story short I was required to watch a video of nine images, twice, and when asked offer my identification if I could.
Any worry that I had quietly harboured about letting the whole system down by not being able to identify the suspect very rapidly disappeared, the moment I saw his unpleasant face I knew beyond any doubt.
And that was it, job done, a few signatures and warnings about not discussing it with a colleague who is also to go through this process and I was out on the street again, in the rain, with my already catastrophically wet new hair 'do' only slipping further into the abyss of bad hair days!
I can't help but laugh.....£30 to look like a drowned rat, tsk! :o)
Here's lookin' at you
Much of this area has woken this morning to severe flooding, the local television news is carrying images of towns within 30 miles of here under many feet of water but thankfully for us, whilst we had torrential rain for most of yesterday it has been nothing like as bed as areas further west. There is a small stream to the rear of this property which over night has turned into a raging torrent, broken it's banks quite spectacularly and flooded the fields through which it runs but that aside we seem to have escaped lightly.....though it is still raining.
This afternoon I am forced to vacate this seat and make my way into town which has the potential to be quite and 'interesting' journey, the road I am bound to take floods relatively easily let alone after the level of rainfall we have experienced in the last twenty four hours.
I have to say I would prefer not to be going out at all, the purpose of my journey is to attend the identity parade I was summoned to last week so I can't avoid it or make my excuses, it has to be done so whilst I am having to make the trip I will kill two birds with one stone and pay a visit to my less than favourite place....the hairdressers! Ugh....any one of you familiar with my witterings here will know just how much I don't enjoy the hairdresser hoo ha and of course there is the decision to be made.....just a trim and keep growing or hack the whole lot off and be done with it. We'll see, I'll decide when I get there.
On the subject of the identity parade It strikes me that the process should be re-named for it appears that no-one actually 'parades' any longer, nope, technology has made it's way even to the identifying of a suspect and I am given to understand that it is all on video....somehow it just doesn't seem the same does it and I would imagine it makes it more difficult in some respects but hey ho time will tell, I just hope that I can I.D. the guy unquestionably, I know he did it and he knows he did it...... despite what he might want the legal system to believe!
It's no wonder the police get frustrated, all this performance over a crime I know with absolute certainty he committed but as ever it seems is the way it is down to the innocent to prove the guilt. Believe me when I say I have sat in court and listened to many a toe-rag spout absolutely unbelievably stupid tales in their defence and the magistrate takes it all in, behaves like cops and security staff lie for a living and return a 'not guilty'.....ok, ok, I know it's not quite as simple as that, there is the 'reasonable doubt' issue and no one would advocate any miscarriage of justice but hells bells, it just seems to have swung so far in the opposite direction that any one who feels like defending themselves with a heap of BS can have a magistrate eating out of their hand and escape punishment with any old tale of ridiculous claptrap.
Arghhh......don't get me started on that one! I'll stop now I think before my soap box disintegrates in the rain!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And completely off topic for those who kindly asked, 'small cat' is as happy as a pig in muck again, chattering away and rolling around on her back relaxed and happy, she was even heard to emit a purr last night, something that until recently we thought she just couldn't do and have rarely heard from her even in her happiest moments. She spent a couple of hours scouring the place yesterday afternoon for any sign of the kitten, backed off from a few places where she could obviously still smell her and then eventually satisfied she was gone, returned to her normal happy self.
This afternoon I am forced to vacate this seat and make my way into town which has the potential to be quite and 'interesting' journey, the road I am bound to take floods relatively easily let alone after the level of rainfall we have experienced in the last twenty four hours.
I have to say I would prefer not to be going out at all, the purpose of my journey is to attend the identity parade I was summoned to last week so I can't avoid it or make my excuses, it has to be done so whilst I am having to make the trip I will kill two birds with one stone and pay a visit to my less than favourite place....the hairdressers! Ugh....any one of you familiar with my witterings here will know just how much I don't enjoy the hairdresser hoo ha and of course there is the decision to be made.....just a trim and keep growing or hack the whole lot off and be done with it. We'll see, I'll decide when I get there.
On the subject of the identity parade It strikes me that the process should be re-named for it appears that no-one actually 'parades' any longer, nope, technology has made it's way even to the identifying of a suspect and I am given to understand that it is all on video....somehow it just doesn't seem the same does it and I would imagine it makes it more difficult in some respects but hey ho time will tell, I just hope that I can I.D. the guy unquestionably, I know he did it and he knows he did it...... despite what he might want the legal system to believe!
It's no wonder the police get frustrated, all this performance over a crime I know with absolute certainty he committed but as ever it seems is the way it is down to the innocent to prove the guilt. Believe me when I say I have sat in court and listened to many a toe-rag spout absolutely unbelievably stupid tales in their defence and the magistrate takes it all in, behaves like cops and security staff lie for a living and return a 'not guilty'.....ok, ok, I know it's not quite as simple as that, there is the 'reasonable doubt' issue and no one would advocate any miscarriage of justice but hells bells, it just seems to have swung so far in the opposite direction that any one who feels like defending themselves with a heap of BS can have a magistrate eating out of their hand and escape punishment with any old tale of ridiculous claptrap.
Arghhh......don't get me started on that one! I'll stop now I think before my soap box disintegrates in the rain!
And completely off topic for those who kindly asked, 'small cat' is as happy as a pig in muck again, chattering away and rolling around on her back relaxed and happy, she was even heard to emit a purr last night, something that until recently we thought she just couldn't do and have rarely heard from her even in her happiest moments. She spent a couple of hours scouring the place yesterday afternoon for any sign of the kitten, backed off from a few places where she could obviously still smell her and then eventually satisfied she was gone, returned to her normal happy self.
Tuesday, 11 October 2005
Why is life never simple ~ part 2
This morning when it all happened I really didn't feel like blogging the situation with 'baby cat' and I can't say I relish the idea now but a few hours have passed and having blogged the whole of the rest of the kitten hunting antics it seems only right that I make the effort with this part. I have gotten over the 'why does nothing seem to be going right lately' phase and pulled myself together a bit so here goes.
Firstly thank you all for your kind words, I seem again to have had a less than fabulous day and yet again you lot have been a great help.
The sad end to the baby cat story was not anything awful in so much as she was lovely, a happy, purring little soul and as fit as a fiddle, the problem was in the interaction between her and Ditto.
Introducing any two cats is not easy, there is always spitting, hissing and grumbling and a careful eye has to be kept on the combatants but in this case poor Ditto seemed not to cope at all, she suffered much more than any cat I have ever dealt with in this situation and neither she nor I could 'hack it' She wouldn't eat, use her litter box and finally went outside and sat miserably in the torrential rain until she was soaked through. No amount of persuasion would tempt her in and when we attempted her physical removal back into the house she turned into a wild thing, biting and scratching. Not the usual 'I am slightly miffed' kind of biting, this was the real deal.
We could have persevered a little longer, it had been a very short period of time but we felt after much snivelling and discussion that if she was that unhappy it would be more unfair for all concerned if ultimately we still had to take the baby back to her breeder. She would be more unsettled, Ditto might be even more stressed and to be honest it was just too upsetting for me as well. So we called the lady we got her from and explained the situation and she very kindly agreed to take her back. Her kindness added to our upset in some ways, we had got on so well with her and she had been so nice we felt like we were letting her down too.
It is far from the first time I have dealt with introducing two cats and it has never been anywhere like as bad, even from the outset, why I'm not sure. I did overlook the fact that 'baby' was actually 20 weeks old and was hence considerably more like introducing an adult cat, something I wouldn't have considered. That was my fault and lack of thought, my head just said 'kitten' and I didn't think it through. Maybe it is just those two cats or maybe Ditto will only ever be a 'one cat' cat....we have no way of knowing but whatever, I feel guilty for The baby, Ditto and the breeder and I feel miserable about the whole issue. The only good part is that in making the decision fast the little soul barely knew she had been away from her brothers,sisters and mum and was immediately comfortable and happy 'back home' and snuggled in with them.
We may try again sometime with a tiny kitten and see if Ditto copes better, if not then she can remain a happy single cat, but for now the kitten hunt is severely curtailed, I can't go through it all again in too much of a hurry :o(
So, that's the story.....onward and upward as they say, we did what we hope was the best thing under bad circumstances and I'm attempting not to dwell on it. I seem to have felt sad about one cat or another for weeks and I need now to try not think about sad stuff for a time.
Perspective gemmak, perspective!
Firstly thank you all for your kind words, I seem again to have had a less than fabulous day and yet again you lot have been a great help.
The sad end to the baby cat story was not anything awful in so much as she was lovely, a happy, purring little soul and as fit as a fiddle, the problem was in the interaction between her and Ditto.
Introducing any two cats is not easy, there is always spitting, hissing and grumbling and a careful eye has to be kept on the combatants but in this case poor Ditto seemed not to cope at all, she suffered much more than any cat I have ever dealt with in this situation and neither she nor I could 'hack it' She wouldn't eat, use her litter box and finally went outside and sat miserably in the torrential rain until she was soaked through. No amount of persuasion would tempt her in and when we attempted her physical removal back into the house she turned into a wild thing, biting and scratching. Not the usual 'I am slightly miffed' kind of biting, this was the real deal.
We could have persevered a little longer, it had been a very short period of time but we felt after much snivelling and discussion that if she was that unhappy it would be more unfair for all concerned if ultimately we still had to take the baby back to her breeder. She would be more unsettled, Ditto might be even more stressed and to be honest it was just too upsetting for me as well. So we called the lady we got her from and explained the situation and she very kindly agreed to take her back. Her kindness added to our upset in some ways, we had got on so well with her and she had been so nice we felt like we were letting her down too.
It is far from the first time I have dealt with introducing two cats and it has never been anywhere like as bad, even from the outset, why I'm not sure. I did overlook the fact that 'baby' was actually 20 weeks old and was hence considerably more like introducing an adult cat, something I wouldn't have considered. That was my fault and lack of thought, my head just said 'kitten' and I didn't think it through. Maybe it is just those two cats or maybe Ditto will only ever be a 'one cat' cat....we have no way of knowing but whatever, I feel guilty for The baby, Ditto and the breeder and I feel miserable about the whole issue. The only good part is that in making the decision fast the little soul barely knew she had been away from her brothers,sisters and mum and was immediately comfortable and happy 'back home' and snuggled in with them.
We may try again sometime with a tiny kitten and see if Ditto copes better, if not then she can remain a happy single cat, but for now the kitten hunt is severely curtailed, I can't go through it all again in too much of a hurry :o(
So, that's the story.....onward and upward as they say, we did what we hope was the best thing under bad circumstances and I'm attempting not to dwell on it. I seem to have felt sad about one cat or another for weeks and I need now to try not think about sad stuff for a time.
Perspective gemmak, perspective!
Why is life never simple??
It's a long story, that I don't feel like blogging right now but 'the kitten with no name' had to go back to her breeder this afternoon.
Maybe it was just not meant to be. I feel sad and awful....... I've had my fill of sad cat stuff these last few weeks, perhaps we'll just stick to Ditto for a while! :o(
Maybe it was just not meant to be. I feel sad and awful....... I've had my fill of sad cat stuff these last few weeks, perhaps we'll just stick to Ditto for a while! :o(
Monday, 10 October 2005
Meet........
....the kitten with no name!
Yes, you've seen her before a few days back, the Burmese we couldn't afford, only today, courtesy of someone's generosity and kindness we suddenly and out of the blue could!
The day we first met her we fell in love but having decided she was beyond our means we have spent the last few days trying to talk ourselves out of her, not very successfully I might add, most days I could be found looking at the photograph I had of her intermittently!
So, this morning, and it wasn't a very good one up until this point, things changed, the details I can't divulge, I have promised not to, but someone made it possible for her to be ours!! That person, knows who she is and again we would like to extend to her a big 'thank you' :o)
And that was it, no time was wasted, we collected her from her other 'mum' and bought her back to her new home.
Ditto is not a happy cat right now, as was to be expected poor soul but I'm sure with a little time and patience at least a truce will be called in a day or two, right now they are at opposite sides of the room playing 'who can stare the longest' and emitting the odd grumble here and there!
Finally we need a name, she 'kind of' has one, it's part of her registered pedigree name and it's kinda sticking right now but all suggestions are welcome :o)
So here she is....the kitten with no name:
And for anyone who really knows what their pedigrees she is not a straightforward Burmeses, she's an 'Asian Self', which as far as my understanding goes is basically Burmese but a bit different....I'm still confused, I just know she's a real sweetie and I love her already!!
Yes, you've seen her before a few days back, the Burmese we couldn't afford, only today, courtesy of someone's generosity and kindness we suddenly and out of the blue could!
The day we first met her we fell in love but having decided she was beyond our means we have spent the last few days trying to talk ourselves out of her, not very successfully I might add, most days I could be found looking at the photograph I had of her intermittently!
So, this morning, and it wasn't a very good one up until this point, things changed, the details I can't divulge, I have promised not to, but someone made it possible for her to be ours!! That person, knows who she is and again we would like to extend to her a big 'thank you' :o)
And that was it, no time was wasted, we collected her from her other 'mum' and bought her back to her new home.
Ditto is not a happy cat right now, as was to be expected poor soul but I'm sure with a little time and patience at least a truce will be called in a day or two, right now they are at opposite sides of the room playing 'who can stare the longest' and emitting the odd grumble here and there!
Finally we need a name, she 'kind of' has one, it's part of her registered pedigree name and it's kinda sticking right now but all suggestions are welcome :o)
So here she is....the kitten with no name:
And for anyone who really knows what their pedigrees she is not a straightforward Burmeses, she's an 'Asian Self', which as far as my understanding goes is basically Burmese but a bit different....I'm still confused, I just know she's a real sweetie and I love her already!!
Sunday, 9 October 2005
Not a day of note
Today was of no particular interest, it was spent at work, a very busy day but nothing more noteworthy to report than the fact that winter is most definitely on it's way, it has been particularly chilly and the autumn leaves are beginning to scatter themselves in the wind.
Ditto is miffed, wind is not her 'thing', she has started again her 'dancing on the doorstep' routine of previous winters, the constant process of howling pitifully to be let out and then dithering just over the threshold unendingly, deciding if the wind is just a little too scary....before turning tail and dashing back in, only to repeat the whole process a few minutes later. Like I have nothing else to do but keep getting up to open the door for her!
Aside from that zip, nothing, nada. PG has 'man flu', I am having to do my best impression of Florence Nightingale and we are still kitten-less........but on the upside I have the next three days off the day job, yayyy!
The best I can offer for your delectation today is this:
© No idea but not me.
Very poor show I know but hey.....give a girl a break when she's tired and dealing with man flu. ;o)
Ditto is miffed, wind is not her 'thing', she has started again her 'dancing on the doorstep' routine of previous winters, the constant process of howling pitifully to be let out and then dithering just over the threshold unendingly, deciding if the wind is just a little too scary....before turning tail and dashing back in, only to repeat the whole process a few minutes later. Like I have nothing else to do but keep getting up to open the door for her!
Aside from that zip, nothing, nada. PG has 'man flu', I am having to do my best impression of Florence Nightingale and we are still kitten-less........but on the upside I have the next three days off the day job, yayyy!
The best I can offer for your delectation today is this:
Very poor show I know but hey.....give a girl a break when she's tired and dealing with man flu. ;o)
Saturday, 8 October 2005
Cretins and cops ~ update
You might recall a few weeks back my post regarding the shoplifter incident, the one in which some half-wit cretin so blatantly stole a high value item from my place of work as to make it nigh on impossible to ignore and do nothing about.
What happened next got lost among my upset at Poppy's death just a few days later but a progression has bought the matter to the fore again.
What transpired immediately after the incident left me almost spitting with annoyance. Bear in mind here that I am familiar with this territory and whilst it is a fair number of years since I was involved in the pursuit of shoplifters on a reasonably regular basis it is not something one forgets.
So, having almost crippled my unfit self in my attempts at catching the aforementioned half-wit and having spent over an hour giving a statement, one might expect perhaps just a small thank you from one's boss. One would be very wrong!
What I actually got was told off, not a hint of gratitude in sight. A fanfare I didn't want nor expect but a 'cheers bud' would have been kind of appreciated.
Company policy it seems goes along the lines of 'don't give chase, we don't want your risking being injured'. That translates directly to 'we don't really give a damn about you the individual, we just don't want you injured and suing us'. Now I understand that and I would never advocate someone who knows nothing about that particular situation giving chase, or doing anything other than alerting a member of management, but I am familiar with the situation and ultimately, if we all sat by and just watched when things get a little 'iffy' instead of doing something about it, would that not result in anarchy?
For me it's simple, the cretin did wrong, I could do something about it, so I did and I have to say, I'm sorry but regardless of company policy, if I was presented with the same scenario tomorrow I would take the same action. Yes the company owns a part of me for the time I am there but they don't own all of me. Hell, I'm hardly likely to take unnecessary risk am I, strangely I kinda like my life!
Anyways, my annoyance at the lack of anything positive being said about the incident subsided until yesterday when the police asked me to attend an identity parade one day next week, that's fine said I, I'll be there....and on informing my employer there was still an apparent and decided lack of support.
There is a part of me that wonders why I bother, I know really why I bother, the same reasons as I took action in the first place. I'm happy to use my own time to attend the I.D. parade, and if it ends in court I'm happy to do that in my own time and at my own expense but still, a little tiny thank you wouldn't go amiss and the initial 'telling off' still rankles!!!
What happened next got lost among my upset at Poppy's death just a few days later but a progression has bought the matter to the fore again.
What transpired immediately after the incident left me almost spitting with annoyance. Bear in mind here that I am familiar with this territory and whilst it is a fair number of years since I was involved in the pursuit of shoplifters on a reasonably regular basis it is not something one forgets.
So, having almost crippled my unfit self in my attempts at catching the aforementioned half-wit and having spent over an hour giving a statement, one might expect perhaps just a small thank you from one's boss. One would be very wrong!
What I actually got was told off, not a hint of gratitude in sight. A fanfare I didn't want nor expect but a 'cheers bud' would have been kind of appreciated.
Company policy it seems goes along the lines of 'don't give chase, we don't want your risking being injured'. That translates directly to 'we don't really give a damn about you the individual, we just don't want you injured and suing us'. Now I understand that and I would never advocate someone who knows nothing about that particular situation giving chase, or doing anything other than alerting a member of management, but I am familiar with the situation and ultimately, if we all sat by and just watched when things get a little 'iffy' instead of doing something about it, would that not result in anarchy?
For me it's simple, the cretin did wrong, I could do something about it, so I did and I have to say, I'm sorry but regardless of company policy, if I was presented with the same scenario tomorrow I would take the same action. Yes the company owns a part of me for the time I am there but they don't own all of me. Hell, I'm hardly likely to take unnecessary risk am I, strangely I kinda like my life!
Anyways, my annoyance at the lack of anything positive being said about the incident subsided until yesterday when the police asked me to attend an identity parade one day next week, that's fine said I, I'll be there....and on informing my employer there was still an apparent and decided lack of support.
There is a part of me that wonders why I bother, I know really why I bother, the same reasons as I took action in the first place. I'm happy to use my own time to attend the I.D. parade, and if it ends in court I'm happy to do that in my own time and at my own expense but still, a little tiny thank you wouldn't go amiss and the initial 'telling off' still rankles!!!
Friday, 7 October 2005
Vanity, vanity all is vanity
For years, nay decades I resisted the temptation, when all around me fell into the trap, when fashion dictated it and then when time suggested it, still I resisted. Gradually necessity began to shout loudly and insistently at me, the idea became less and less resisted and more and more attractive, until finally not two years ago I capitulated, all previous arguments and reasoning abandoned for vanity. My resolve weakened, time having marched suitably on I could deny it no longer and finding to my horror not one but perhaps five grey hairs I too fell into the dying trap.
I told myself this was merely a 'touch up', that after all it was only my natural colour, I wasn't actually changing anything, I was merely assisting nature.
Assisting nature my foot! If you have ever dealt with one of the heinous chemical concoctions you will know just how far from anything remotely natural the whole nasty business is.
My last day at work, when I politely enquired of a friend what he was going to do with his day off the following day, he looked down upon my seated self, over this spectacles and said in his best thespian tones, "I don't know, why, what are you doing? Your roots?"!!
Ok, point taken, my reluctance to go through the whole dying performance yet again had persisted since last time way too long and so today I set about making good the situation.
In television ads this process is carried out in a mere second or two by some stunning thirty something who swans elegantly around a delightfully chic apartment, a velvety towel wrapped around her head, as the magic is performed beneath. It sure ain't like it is in the movies as they say.
Our attractive 'thirty something' it seems, doesn't have to deal with quite the same myriad of problems the rest of us do. As we upend the box containing 'all you will need for a truly beautiful result' (who are they kidding, is there a plastic surgeon going to spring from this box like a genie from a lamp??) Firstly there is the 'protective gloves' to contend with, in an effort presumably to save costs these are never the surgical kind that might actually fit, no, they are something less well fitting than a common or garden plastic bag might be and made with the hand size of Goliath in mind. Next having got loosely fitting gloves dangling off the ends of one's arms there is the instructions to check. For me it is always so long since the last time I read these it is necessary that I do it again but always I remember to do so after I have deposited my glasses 'somewhere'!
Reminded of the procedure next comes the application, this is the really tricky bit, for one false move and disaster strikes. In my case I am already elegantly attired in old decorating clothes, I know just how easy it is to ruin almost a whole wardrobe in one fell swoop with this carry on, but still there remains the problem of ones surroundings. The minutest splash or drip of this noxious substance will render the flooring with a not so beautiful 'marbled effect' as it strips the colour out in an instant! Strange that, it puts colour into one's hair but takes it out of just about every other surface known to man or in this case woman!
Product applied and the next stage requires that one, rather than swanning around elegantly wrapped in a velvety towel, hovers around for something approaching thirty minutes, whilst doing a fair impression of wearing a surgical neck brace for fear of a stray strand of hair springing loose and applying the marbled affect to yet another room's flooring, wall, soft furnishings, cat, etc. etc. Why is it that at this point someone always knocks on the bloody door??
Door answered and apologies for appearance duly made, one starts to notice about now that this stuff, so carefully applied to the head, really starts to sting and the ability to breath and to see from un-bespectacled, watering eyes is begining to suffer impairment from the cloud of engulfing fumes!
Finally the prescribed time is up and the washing out shenanigans can begin, more of the fumes, even more of the splashing risk and this time added to it, the frantic grappling for the towel left just out of reach, as chemical laden water runs into an eye, despite having it closed tight shut. Of course, as the towel grappling is in progress the shower head is forgotten and invariably twists itself around soaking the entire bathroom and sending an interested small cat running for cover.
Rinsing and washing complete there is the then the 'extra special' conditioner to contend with, this stuff seems to be barely more than gear grease in disguise, presumable heavy enough to attempt to make good some of the damage the earlier chemical assault has had. This concoction takes almost the remainder of the day to rinse out and by the time the job is done weariness takes over.
At last, not in the the advertised time of thirty minutes later but closer to three times that, the whole carry on is over....and what for, a cursory look in the mirror reveals nothing has changed, there is no transformation to the elegant thirty something in the ad, there is merely me, but sans roots!
There is perhaps something to be said for short, greying hair.....ok...perhaps not but chemicals that sting like hell, take the surface of just about everything and leave my scalp sore for the following twenty four hours or so cannot be good!
Vanity....tsk!
I told myself this was merely a 'touch up', that after all it was only my natural colour, I wasn't actually changing anything, I was merely assisting nature.
Assisting nature my foot! If you have ever dealt with one of the heinous chemical concoctions you will know just how far from anything remotely natural the whole nasty business is.
My last day at work, when I politely enquired of a friend what he was going to do with his day off the following day, he looked down upon my seated self, over this spectacles and said in his best thespian tones, "I don't know, why, what are you doing? Your roots?"!!
Ok, point taken, my reluctance to go through the whole dying performance yet again had persisted since last time way too long and so today I set about making good the situation.
In television ads this process is carried out in a mere second or two by some stunning thirty something who swans elegantly around a delightfully chic apartment, a velvety towel wrapped around her head, as the magic is performed beneath. It sure ain't like it is in the movies as they say.
Our attractive 'thirty something' it seems, doesn't have to deal with quite the same myriad of problems the rest of us do. As we upend the box containing 'all you will need for a truly beautiful result' (who are they kidding, is there a plastic surgeon going to spring from this box like a genie from a lamp??) Firstly there is the 'protective gloves' to contend with, in an effort presumably to save costs these are never the surgical kind that might actually fit, no, they are something less well fitting than a common or garden plastic bag might be and made with the hand size of Goliath in mind. Next having got loosely fitting gloves dangling off the ends of one's arms there is the instructions to check. For me it is always so long since the last time I read these it is necessary that I do it again but always I remember to do so after I have deposited my glasses 'somewhere'!
Reminded of the procedure next comes the application, this is the really tricky bit, for one false move and disaster strikes. In my case I am already elegantly attired in old decorating clothes, I know just how easy it is to ruin almost a whole wardrobe in one fell swoop with this carry on, but still there remains the problem of ones surroundings. The minutest splash or drip of this noxious substance will render the flooring with a not so beautiful 'marbled effect' as it strips the colour out in an instant! Strange that, it puts colour into one's hair but takes it out of just about every other surface known to man or in this case woman!
Product applied and the next stage requires that one, rather than swanning around elegantly wrapped in a velvety towel, hovers around for something approaching thirty minutes, whilst doing a fair impression of wearing a surgical neck brace for fear of a stray strand of hair springing loose and applying the marbled affect to yet another room's flooring, wall, soft furnishings, cat, etc. etc. Why is it that at this point someone always knocks on the bloody door??
Door answered and apologies for appearance duly made, one starts to notice about now that this stuff, so carefully applied to the head, really starts to sting and the ability to breath and to see from un-bespectacled, watering eyes is begining to suffer impairment from the cloud of engulfing fumes!
Finally the prescribed time is up and the washing out shenanigans can begin, more of the fumes, even more of the splashing risk and this time added to it, the frantic grappling for the towel left just out of reach, as chemical laden water runs into an eye, despite having it closed tight shut. Of course, as the towel grappling is in progress the shower head is forgotten and invariably twists itself around soaking the entire bathroom and sending an interested small cat running for cover.
Rinsing and washing complete there is the then the 'extra special' conditioner to contend with, this stuff seems to be barely more than gear grease in disguise, presumable heavy enough to attempt to make good some of the damage the earlier chemical assault has had. This concoction takes almost the remainder of the day to rinse out and by the time the job is done weariness takes over.
At last, not in the the advertised time of thirty minutes later but closer to three times that, the whole carry on is over....and what for, a cursory look in the mirror reveals nothing has changed, there is no transformation to the elegant thirty something in the ad, there is merely me, but sans roots!
There is perhaps something to be said for short, greying hair.....ok...perhaps not but chemicals that sting like hell, take the surface of just about everything and leave my scalp sore for the following twenty four hours or so cannot be good!
Vanity....tsk!
The importance of underwear
From the Watford Observer comes this story of a Garston couple who
drove their car to the Harlequin Shopping Centre, only to have their car break
down in the car park. The man told his wife to carry on with the
shopping while he fixed the car. The wife returned later to see a small
group of people near the car. On closer inspection, she saw a pair of
male legs protruding from under the chassis. Although the man was in
shorts, his lack of underpants turned private parts into glaringly
public ones.
Unable to stand the embarrassment, she dutifully stepped forward,
quickly put her hand UP his shorts, and tucked everything back into
place. On regaining her feet, she looked across the bonnet and found
herself staring at her husband who was standing idly by.
The mechanic, however, had to have three stitches in his forehead!
True or not? Who knows but thanks to 'P' for landing this in my mailbox this morning and making me giggle. It has added interest, if you can call it that, for me, Watford is close to where I grew up and is still a very familiar place to me.
drove their car to the Harlequin Shopping Centre, only to have their car break
down in the car park. The man told his wife to carry on with the
shopping while he fixed the car. The wife returned later to see a small
group of people near the car. On closer inspection, she saw a pair of
male legs protruding from under the chassis. Although the man was in
shorts, his lack of underpants turned private parts into glaringly
public ones.
Unable to stand the embarrassment, she dutifully stepped forward,
quickly put her hand UP his shorts, and tucked everything back into
place. On regaining her feet, she looked across the bonnet and found
herself staring at her husband who was standing idly by.
The mechanic, however, had to have three stitches in his forehead!
True or not? Who knows but thanks to 'P' for landing this in my mailbox this morning and making me giggle. It has added interest, if you can call it that, for me, Watford is close to where I grew up and is still a very familiar place to me.
Save Jeeves
The decision by the big wigs at Inter-Active Corp. the owners of 'Ask Jeeves' the search company, to
drop it's very familiar butler logo, seems to be causing some upset among the rank and file.
The upset is such that those opposing the decision have had their story and objections picked up by the national media one of them having created a blog in an effort to muster support for the 'save Jeeves' campaign.
Doubtless this is another 'I want to make my mark' decision by executives of the new parent company, it will have less to do with the brand requiring an update or re-vamp than it will with a few career obsessed individuals who merely want to be noticed! Aggravating as it is and in many cases unnecessary, some young marketing 'hot shot' will have decided that re-branding is the way to go and as ever they do in the world of corporate limelight grabbing will run with it until one of two things happens, the decision proves to have been financial hogwash or he or she becomes bored and is head hunted.
I can see a marketing argument on occasion for updating a brand but but Ask Jeeves is hardly a company or image that we have had time to grow tired of and nor is it an image that is strongly rooted in a particular trend. The butler saw the company through the dot com boom and bust but loyalty or customer opinion are two areas where large corporations and marketing teams seem to attain a sudden and convenient case of profound deafness and tragic sight loss!
If it ain't broke don't fix it eh guys? What?, Oh I'm sorry, I didn't realise, would you like that in sign language or Braille?
drop it's very familiar butler logo, seems to be causing some upset among the rank and file. The upset is such that those opposing the decision have had their story and objections picked up by the national media one of them having created a blog in an effort to muster support for the 'save Jeeves' campaign.
Doubtless this is another 'I want to make my mark' decision by executives of the new parent company, it will have less to do with the brand requiring an update or re-vamp than it will with a few career obsessed individuals who merely want to be noticed! Aggravating as it is and in many cases unnecessary, some young marketing 'hot shot' will have decided that re-branding is the way to go and as ever they do in the world of corporate limelight grabbing will run with it until one of two things happens, the decision proves to have been financial hogwash or he or she becomes bored and is head hunted.
I can see a marketing argument on occasion for updating a brand but but Ask Jeeves is hardly a company or image that we have had time to grow tired of and nor is it an image that is strongly rooted in a particular trend. The butler saw the company through the dot com boom and bust but loyalty or customer opinion are two areas where large corporations and marketing teams seem to attain a sudden and convenient case of profound deafness and tragic sight loss!
If it ain't broke don't fix it eh guys? What?, Oh I'm sorry, I didn't realise, would you like that in sign language or Braille?
Thursday, 6 October 2005
You wouldn't like me!
I have the right bloody hump! I'm in a childish kicking and screaming frame of mind though of course I won't actually lie on the floor and kick and scream, but then again...... I have PMS from somewhere very close to hell, PG has the kitchen turned upside down twice over, complete with what seems like ten sets of golf clubs scattered on every available surface whilst I attempt to conjure up something for dinner, Lord knows that he's doing...... and we are still very kitten-less! Ppfftttt.
Without a doubt it is not a good time to be in gemmak's-ville, I advise that anyone in close proximity stay well clear, things could get 'heated'! Damn, sodding hormones!
As for the kitten situation, the decision was 'no', a number of reasons bought us to decide that as beautiful as she was she was not for us. The cost cost was a factor, along with a concern over how happy a cat that can never go out might be, but also I think that deep down we just can't escape the want of a little cuddly moggy that needs a home. That said, there don't seem to be any 'little cuddly moggies' needing a home right now....they seem to be rarer then hens teeth, at least in these parts.
So the search continues.
The PMS continues.
The grumpiness continues.
You wouldn't like me right now I promise!
Breath in 1......2.....3...... out 1......2.....3, throw something 1......2..... grrrrr.
Without a doubt it is not a good time to be in gemmak's-ville, I advise that anyone in close proximity stay well clear, things could get 'heated'! Damn, sodding hormones!
As for the kitten situation, the decision was 'no', a number of reasons bought us to decide that as beautiful as she was she was not for us. The cost cost was a factor, along with a concern over how happy a cat that can never go out might be, but also I think that deep down we just can't escape the want of a little cuddly moggy that needs a home. That said, there don't seem to be any 'little cuddly moggies' needing a home right now....they seem to be rarer then hens teeth, at least in these parts.
So the search continues.
The PMS continues.
The grumpiness continues.
You wouldn't like me right now I promise!
Breath in 1......2.....3...... out 1......2.....3, throw something 1......2..... grrrrr.
Winter is on it's way
The first morning this autumn where we have woken to temperatures below 3 degrees, brrrrr. It makes for a pretty start to the day though. In one direction a soft mist, in the opposite a gentle sunrise.
Wednesday, 5 October 2005
Decisions?...I hate 'em!
As you will assume from the title there is still no decision on the kitten front.
We went, as planned, to visit 'posh puss' this afternoon and stayed over an hour playing with her and her litter mates, three others still remain, though they are all spoken for apart from 'ours'.
She is beautiful, a tiny elegant little thing but, and it is quite a big but, she is quite expensive (not for the breed, just for us) and she is an Asian Burmese which means she is very thin and lithe, more so even than a Siamese and we are just not sure. I suppose we are used to big fat old moggies.......
A nights sleep might bring a decision!
We went, as planned, to visit 'posh puss' this afternoon and stayed over an hour playing with her and her litter mates, three others still remain, though they are all spoken for apart from 'ours'.
She is beautiful, a tiny elegant little thing but, and it is quite a big but, she is quite expensive (not for the breed, just for us) and she is an Asian Burmese which means she is very thin and lithe, more so even than a Siamese and we are just not sure. I suppose we are used to big fat old moggies.......
A nights sleep might bring a decision!
More kitten visiting
This afternoon we get to visit this little soul, the Burmese mentioned in yesterday's post.
I have a good feeling about this one despite her being way too expensive for us really but when you carry the balance on credit cards that I do (don't ask, if I had to tell you I would scare myself) what's another few hundred pounds?
The good feeling? On first sight PG and I weren't completely sure about Burmese but this little thing has grown on us over the last few days and her 'mum' is a star. You know when once in a while you meet someone you just seem to 'click' with, I think over the last two days we have probably spent well over two hours chatting on the phone, she is such a nice woman I feel comfortable about the kitten being healthy etc. and if we choose to have a litter ourselves, she is more than happy to give us advice and help. Never having been that route before and knowing little about the rules surrounding breeding from a pedigree, I would need much help!
PG is slightly disappointed that if we take this kitten we don't get the 'tiny wee six week old stage', pedigree cats can't be re-homed until eighteen weeks but hey, in twelve weeks time a six weeker will be eighteen anyways and the fact that they come ready inoculated and tested for feline leukemia is a big plus!
Result of visit later.......
I have a good feeling about this one despite her being way too expensive for us really but when you carry the balance on credit cards that I do (don't ask, if I had to tell you I would scare myself) what's another few hundred pounds?
The good feeling? On first sight PG and I weren't completely sure about Burmese but this little thing has grown on us over the last few days and her 'mum' is a star. You know when once in a while you meet someone you just seem to 'click' with, I think over the last two days we have probably spent well over two hours chatting on the phone, she is such a nice woman I feel comfortable about the kitten being healthy etc. and if we choose to have a litter ourselves, she is more than happy to give us advice and help. Never having been that route before and knowing little about the rules surrounding breeding from a pedigree, I would need much help!
PG is slightly disappointed that if we take this kitten we don't get the 'tiny wee six week old stage', pedigree cats can't be re-homed until eighteen weeks but hey, in twelve weeks time a six weeker will be eighteen anyways and the fact that they come ready inoculated and tested for feline leukemia is a big plus!
Result of visit later.......
Tuesday, 4 October 2005
Kitten visiting
Finally yesterday we managed to get hold of the 'parents' of two different litters of kittens, the Birman I mentioned a few days back and a Burmese.
Having recovered a little from my yukky-ness by early evening and on finding that the Birmans were almost around the corner, PG dragged me, unwashed hair and all, to pay a visit.
What beautiful little creatures....all nine of them! There were two litters of Birmans, one litter of Norwegian Forest cats and two large dogs! I was in kitten heaven but of course nothing can be too straighforward can it and within ten minutes my eyes were red and itching :o(
'Mica' ~ The name would have to change!
I have never been allergic to a cat before but I have also never had a long hair before and as I have eczema and asthma I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised. PG is in love, which is no help at all, and would happily have paid a king's ransom and taken the lot there and then but I'm in a quandary. We have no way of knowing if just one would have the same effect and I couldn't bear to have to give her back if I am allergic after all the recent Poppy sadness.
Hopefully we can go and visit the Burmese tomorrow, she is a shorthair, and then a decision will have to be made.
I would be just as happy with a 'moggy' as opposed to a pedigree but there are none it seems right now, we have tried everywhere and patience not being one of my virtues a pedigree it looks like it is likely to be!
Having recovered a little from my yukky-ness by early evening and on finding that the Birmans were almost around the corner, PG dragged me, unwashed hair and all, to pay a visit.
What beautiful little creatures....all nine of them! There were two litters of Birmans, one litter of Norwegian Forest cats and two large dogs! I was in kitten heaven but of course nothing can be too straighforward can it and within ten minutes my eyes were red and itching :o(
I have never been allergic to a cat before but I have also never had a long hair before and as I have eczema and asthma I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised. PG is in love, which is no help at all, and would happily have paid a king's ransom and taken the lot there and then but I'm in a quandary. We have no way of knowing if just one would have the same effect and I couldn't bear to have to give her back if I am allergic after all the recent Poppy sadness.
Hopefully we can go and visit the Burmese tomorrow, she is a shorthair, and then a decision will have to be made.
I would be just as happy with a 'moggy' as opposed to a pedigree but there are none it seems right now, we have tried everywhere and patience not being one of my virtues a pedigree it looks like it is likely to be!
Monday, 3 October 2005
Why?
1. Why, when I had my off day all planned and before me like a lovely blank canvas this morning, did the bearing in the washing machine have to choose to die?
2. Why, when having moved heaven and earth to get a new one delivered today, would the retailer not take payment over the phone by credit card but instead insisted that I make the 30 mile round trip to make payment in person?....this is 2005, a large national retailer, we have epos systems even here out in the sticks for goodness sake.
3. Why, when I tried to disconnect the offending machine from it's plumbing would the inlet tap not turn off, despite heaving my whole weight against the wrench?
4. Why, did I not think of applying WD40 at the start of the procedure instead of after a 30 minutes wrestle with the damn thing?
5. Why, having successfully achieved disconnection, did I forget that the washing machine shares the same waste pipe as the sink.... and empty the caffetiere straight down it.....and into the cupboard below?!
6. Why, did I decide that I couldn't tolerate said washing machine 'landed' in the middle of the room until the man came to take it away.....and move it on my own with an already knackered shoulder?
7. Why, did I get up this morning?
8. Why, are you laughing?
2. Why, when having moved heaven and earth to get a new one delivered today, would the retailer not take payment over the phone by credit card but instead insisted that I make the 30 mile round trip to make payment in person?....this is 2005, a large national retailer, we have epos systems even here out in the sticks for goodness sake.
3. Why, when I tried to disconnect the offending machine from it's plumbing would the inlet tap not turn off, despite heaving my whole weight against the wrench?
4. Why, did I not think of applying WD40 at the start of the procedure instead of after a 30 minutes wrestle with the damn thing?
5. Why, having successfully achieved disconnection, did I forget that the washing machine shares the same waste pipe as the sink.... and empty the caffetiere straight down it.....and into the cupboard below?!
6. Why, did I decide that I couldn't tolerate said washing machine 'landed' in the middle of the room until the man came to take it away.....and move it on my own with an already knackered shoulder?
7. Why, did I get up this morning?
8. Why, are you laughing?
Annular eclipse?
So did anyone actually see this today?
If my understanding is correct it should have been visible here by now but despite clear skies and almost rendering myself blind, yes, I know, I'm not supposed to look with the naked eye but I'm devoid of the appropriate equipment, I just cannot see anything even slightly discernible as a partial eclipse!
:o(
If my understanding is correct it should have been visible here by now but despite clear skies and almost rendering myself blind, yes, I know, I'm not supposed to look with the naked eye but I'm devoid of the appropriate equipment, I just cannot see anything even slightly discernible as a partial eclipse!
:o(
Scottish cats........
....have porridge for breakfast too!
...but apparently it has to be served perched on the arm of the sofa!
...but apparently it has to be served perched on the arm of the sofa!
Sunday, 2 October 2005
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Saturday, 1 October 2005
Hoare much??
The case, yet again in the national press today, of Iorworth Hoare is beginning to seriously stick in my craw!
Hoare, dubbed the 'lotto rapist' when he won £7 million on the lottery earlier this year whilst on temporary release from a life sentence for rape, and who has a string of convictions for serious sex offences dating back to the 1970's, seems to have way more luck than most of us could ever hope for.
Having been released on licence subsequent to having served his sentence, and with his £7 million safely tucked in the bank, he appears now to be having the time of his life swanning around the North East (specifically Sunderland, though that is reported in 'The Sun' and consequently cannot be taken as gospel) buying antiques, fine art and various other expensive artifacts. As if this is not enough it would appear that to protect him from attack from vigilantes, shield him from various women's groups and to allow him to lead as normal' a life as possible we, the taxpayer, are footing a bill that will ultimately run into hundreds of thousands, if not millions of pounds.
As a rule I agree with second chances, though this man has had more than his fair share of those and I disagree quite strongly with 'outing' and vigilante action (though I can understand why others agree with both) but what I fail to understand is why, when Hoare has such a sum sitting in his bank account, we are having to cover the cost of protecting him.
The UK has one of the best judicial systems in the world and along with it a social security support system that is apparently so attractive that people flock from the world over to live here, though it often seems to benefit those individuals that are adept at 'working the system' more than it does those in genuine need.
If we accept that if we are to adhere to the terms of our social structures and our current laws Hoare had to be released, if we accept (which we may or may not) that he may need a new identity, that he might be well advised to make the most of relocation and a new identity and perhaps he even requires help re-integrating into society then we accept qalso that he needs protection but what I utterly fail to accept or understand is how a man, who let's face it is in a situation of his own making and who is richer than almost all of us will ever be, has all this protection paid for by the state! Not a penny has it cost him so far and on current form nor will it in the future!
I cannot argue here the points such as whether he should have been released at all or whether he should have all this protection at his disposal, those argumentsts are far too complicated and multi faceted for me to even begin to dissect but I can argue however, that it is absolutely ludicrous that the taxpayer is picking up the tab for this man's protection.
Presumably the provision of these services is not means tested and even if it were Hoare's situation would be a very rare situation anyway but hells bells, can our government not look at this case individually and do something to force Hoare to at least contribute something?
One thing is for sure, if he were a pensioner who had worked hard all his life, paid his dues and never so much as got a speeding ticket, but who required protection from gangs of youths roaming his council estate at night causing terror and mayhem he wouldn't get it!
Come on Mr Clarke, pull your finger out.
Hoare, dubbed the 'lotto rapist' when he won £7 million on the lottery earlier this year whilst on temporary release from a life sentence for rape, and who has a string of convictions for serious sex offences dating back to the 1970's, seems to have way more luck than most of us could ever hope for.
Having been released on licence subsequent to having served his sentence, and with his £7 million safely tucked in the bank, he appears now to be having the time of his life swanning around the North East (specifically Sunderland, though that is reported in 'The Sun' and consequently cannot be taken as gospel) buying antiques, fine art and various other expensive artifacts. As if this is not enough it would appear that to protect him from attack from vigilantes, shield him from various women's groups and to allow him to lead as normal' a life as possible we, the taxpayer, are footing a bill that will ultimately run into hundreds of thousands, if not millions of pounds.
As a rule I agree with second chances, though this man has had more than his fair share of those and I disagree quite strongly with 'outing' and vigilante action (though I can understand why others agree with both) but what I fail to understand is why, when Hoare has such a sum sitting in his bank account, we are having to cover the cost of protecting him.
The UK has one of the best judicial systems in the world and along with it a social security support system that is apparently so attractive that people flock from the world over to live here, though it often seems to benefit those individuals that are adept at 'working the system' more than it does those in genuine need.
If we accept that if we are to adhere to the terms of our social structures and our current laws Hoare had to be released, if we accept (which we may or may not) that he may need a new identity, that he might be well advised to make the most of relocation and a new identity and perhaps he even requires help re-integrating into society then we accept qalso that he needs protection but what I utterly fail to accept or understand is how a man, who let's face it is in a situation of his own making and who is richer than almost all of us will ever be, has all this protection paid for by the state! Not a penny has it cost him so far and on current form nor will it in the future!
I cannot argue here the points such as whether he should have been released at all or whether he should have all this protection at his disposal, those argumentsts are far too complicated and multi faceted for me to even begin to dissect but I can argue however, that it is absolutely ludicrous that the taxpayer is picking up the tab for this man's protection.
Presumably the provision of these services is not means tested and even if it were Hoare's situation would be a very rare situation anyway but hells bells, can our government not look at this case individually and do something to force Hoare to at least contribute something?
One thing is for sure, if he were a pensioner who had worked hard all his life, paid his dues and never so much as got a speeding ticket, but who required protection from gangs of youths roaming his council estate at night causing terror and mayhem he wouldn't get it!
Come on Mr Clarke, pull your finger out.
September surprise
I've seen some sunsets in my time here but yesterday's has to be one of the best so far.......and it rained all day!
(Clickable)
....and finally 'someone' concentrating on a little sunset hunting and showing absolutely no interest in myself or the camera!!
(Clickable)
....and finally 'someone' concentrating on a little sunset hunting and showing absolutely no interest in myself or the camera!!
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About gemmak
-
- gemmak
- London UK
The sometimes intermittent account of one woman’s bumbling and somewhat unorthodox life….where things often go spectacularly awry and where the heart rules the head.
Here you will find honesty, stupidity, miscellaneous codswallop and a life lived in a manner it was never planned to be.... but lived!
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